This Week in Seabee History (February 18 – February 24)

Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 301 Seabees working at Khe Sanh in 1968. A small detail of Seabees from CBMU 301 distinguished themselves during the tense siege of Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam. On January 21, 1968, the North Vietnamese commenced concentrated rocket, mortar, and artillery attacks in preparation for their offensive to take the mountain outpost. The runway crews made numerous repairs to the airstrip during the siege while exposed to enemy fire. Between repairs, they quickly learned to take cover whenever aircraft landed because the enemy gunners made a maximum effort to disable planes and helicopters on the ground. The last of the detail returned to base camp on February 19, 1968, and members of the detail were subsequently authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon for assistance rendered to the 26th Marines during the siege of Khe Sanh. (Photos courtesy of the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum)

1981: When President Ronald W. Reagan became president on February 6, 1980, his ranch, Rancho Del Cielo in Santa Barbara, California, required upgraded security measures. Subsidizing the 31 Naval Construction Regiment, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 was assigned to the ranch upgrades named Project Rimstone. The Seabees built multiple service buildings as well as helicopter landing pad and a heliport. The Seabees of this detail received Presidential letters of Commendation. For Ronald Reagan, the house served as a sanctuary during his presidency.

After the completion of Project Rimstone, the Reagan’s hosted a barbecue for the Seabees. (Photo courtesy of ReaganLibrary.gov)

Trees were planted to hide the new facilities from view of the ranch. (Photo courtesy of ReaganLibrary.gov)

1945:The D-Day assault on Iwo Jima was made by the 5th Amphibious Corps, which included all of NCB 133 and elements of NCB 31. The NCB 133 operated on the Iwo Jima beaches during the initial stages of the assault, acting as a shore party for the U.S. Marines. While operating under heavy Japanese fire, the 133rd had the dubious honor of suffering more men killed or wounded in action than any other Seabee battalion in any previous or subsequent battle.

1966:The Navy began testing of the nuclear powered saltwater distillation plant at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. The plant was installed and serviced by Seabees.

1968: A small detail of Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 301 distinguished themselves during the tense siege of Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam (RVN). On January 21, 1968, the North Vietnamese commenced concentrated rocket, mortar, and artillery attacks in preparation for their offensive to take the mountain outpost. The men of the detail repaired numerous rocket, artillery, and mortar holes in the airstrip. The runway crews exposed themselves to enemy fire during repairs. They learned to take cover whenever an aircraft landed because the enemy gunners exercised maximum effort to disabled planes and helicopters on the ground. The last of the detail returned to base camp on February 19, 1968. Members of the detail have been authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon for assistance rendered to the 26th Marines during the siege of Khe Sanh.

1881:The President of the United States conferred relative rank on civil engineers and equal precedence to officers of the line in the Navy for the first time. For the fixed number of 10 CEC officers, one had the relative rank of captain, two with relative rank of commander, three with relative rank of lieutenant commander, and four with the relative rank of lieutenant.